Display apparatus having arbitrary shape

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a display panel having a display unit. A touch sensor layer is disposed on the display panel. A window layer is disposed on the touch sensor layer. The window layer has a first refractive index and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. An insulation layer is disposed between the window layer and the touch sensor layer. The insulation layer has a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0165169, filed on Dec. 6, 2016, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus, and moreparticularly, to a display apparatus having an arbitrary shape.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Some display apparatuses have the ability to, not only display images ona screen, but also, to receive a touch input from a user. These displayapparatuses are often referred to as touch-screen displays. Thesedisplay apparatuses may utilize a touch sensor layer in addition to adisplay panel which may include light-emitting devices such as organiclight emitting diodes (OLEDs).

Such display apparatuses may have a touch sensor layer directly formedon the display panel, or may have a touch sensor layer manufactured inthe form of a separate panel that is attached to the display panel. Awindow layer may be included to protect the display panel and a touchscreen. This window layer may be disposed on the touch sensor layer.

SUMMARY

A display apparatus includes a display panel having a display unit. Atouch sensor layer is disposed on the display panel. A window layer isdisposed on the touch sensor layer. The window layer has a firstrefractive index and includes a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface. An insulation layer is disposed between thewindow layer and the touch sensor layer. The insulation layer has asecond refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index.

A display apparatus includes a display panel. A touch sensor layer isdisposed on the display panel. An adhesive layer is disposed between thedisplay panel and the touch sensor layer. The adhesive layer has a firstrefractive index. A window layer is disposed on the touch sensor layer.An insulation layer is disposed between the touch sensor layer and thewindow layer. The insulation layer has a second refractive index that isgreater than the first refractive index.

A touchscreen display apparatus includes a touch-sensitive displaypanel. A domed window layer is disposed on the touch-sensitive displaypanel. An insulation layer is disposed between the window layer and thetouch-sensitive display panel. The insulation layer has a refractiveindex that is greater than a refractive index of the window layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of theattendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of thedisplay apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of adisplay panel included in the display apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a touch sensor layerincluded in the display apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view magnifying and illustratingportions of a display unit and a touch sensor layer included in thedisplay apparatus of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating a portion of the touchsensor layer included in the display apparatus of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosureillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for sakeof clarity. However, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to beunderstood that each specific element includes all technical equivalentswhich operate in a similar manner.

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept are describedbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thosecomponents that are the same or similar to other components describedherein may be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundantexplanations are omitted and it may be assumed that those features notdescribed are the same as or similar to those features already describedwith reference to corresponding features.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another. As used herein, the singularforms “a”,“an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience ofexplanation. The present inventive concept is therefore not limitedthereto.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display apparatus 1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of thedisplay apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display apparatus 1 may have a circularshape. The circular display apparatus 1 may be used in large-sizedproducts, such as televisions (TVs), and in small-sized products, suchas mobile phones and wearable devices such as smartwatches. Although thedisplay apparatus 1 is illustrated as having a completely-circularplanar shape in FIG. 1, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept are not limited thereto. The display apparatus 1 may have any ofvarious shapes, such as an oval, an edge-rounded polygon, and a polygon,including a circle.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display apparatus 1 includes a display panel100, a touch sensor layer 200 disposed on the display panel 100, awindow layer 400 disposed on the touch sensor layer 200, and aninsulation layer 300 disposed between the sensor layer 200 and thewindow layer 400.

The display panel 100 may include a display element that displays animage. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept, the display element may be an organic light-emitting device(OLED) 160 of FIG. 3. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the display element may include a liquidcrystal device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the window layer 400 disposed over the display panel 100 has a firstsurface 400 a that is curved. A second surface 400 b of the window layer400 is opposite to the first surface 400 a.The second surface 400 b maybe formed flat, but exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept are not limited thereto.

FIG. 3 is a schematic magnified cross-sectional view illustrating aportion B of the display apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-section of a pixel (orsub-pixel) including the OLED 160.

The display panel 100 may include a substrate 110, the OLED 160electrically connected to a thin film transistor (TFT) 130 disposed onthe substrate 110, and an encapsulation layer 170 encapsulating the OLED160.

The substrate 110 may include various flexible or bendable materials.For example, the substrate 110 may include a polymer resin, such aspolyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI),polyethyelenen napthalate (PEN), polyethyeleneterepthalate (PET),polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate(PC), or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).

The TFT 130 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The TFT 130 mayinclude a semiconductor layer 131 including amorphous silicon,polycrystalline silicon, or an organic semiconductor material, a gateelectrode 133, a source electrode 135 a, and a drain electrode 135 b.

To secure insulation between the semiconductor layer 131 and the gateelectrode 133, a gate insulation layer 124 may be disposed between thesemiconductor layer 131 and the gate electrode 133. The gate insulationlayer 124 may include an inorganic material, such as silicon oxide,silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride. An interlayer insulationlayer 126 may be disposed over the gate electrode 133 and may include aninorganic material, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/orsilicon oxynitride. The source electrode 135 a and a drain electrode 135b may be disposed on the interlayer insulation layer 126. An insulationlayer including such an inorganic material may be formed via chemicalvapor deposition (CVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD).

A buffer layer 122 may be disposed between the TFT 130 having theaforementioned structure and the substrate 110 and may include aninorganic material, such as, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/orsilicon oxynitride. The buffer layer 122 may planarize an upper surfaceof the substrate 110 and/or may prevent or minimize infiltration ofimpurities from the substrate 110 and the like into the semiconductorlayer 131 of the TFT 130.

A planarization layer 140 may be disposed on the TFT 130. For example,when the OLED 160 is disposed over the TFT 130 as illustrated in FIG. 3,the planarization layer 140 may planarize an upper portion of aprotection layer that covers the TFT 130. The planarization layer 140may be formed of an organic material, such as, benzocyclobutene (BCB) orhexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). Although the planarization layer 140 isillustrated as a single layer in FIG. 3, various modifications may bemade to the planarization layer 140. For example, the planarizationlayer 140 may include multiple layers.

The OLED 160 may be disposed on the planarization layer 140 and mayinclude a pixel electrode 162, an opposite electrode 166, and anintermediate layer 164 that is disposed between the pixel electrode 162and the opposite electrode 166 and may include an emission layer. Thepixel electrode 162 contacts either the source electrode 135 a or thedrain electrode 135 b via an opening formed in the planarization layer140, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The pixel electrode 162 iselectrically connected to the TFT 130.

A pixel defining layer 150 may be disposed on the planarization layer140. The pixel defining layer 150 defines pixels by including respectiveopenings corresponding to sub-pixels, for example, an opening via whicha center portion of the pixel electrode 162 is exposed. In a case asillustrated in FIG. 3, the pixel defining layer 150 prevents a currentarc or the like from occurring on the edge of the pixel electrode 162 byincreasing a distance between the edge of the pixel electrode 162 andthe opposite electrode 166 arranged over the pixel electrode 162. Thepixel defining layer 150 may be formed of an organic material, forexample, polyimide or HMDSO.

The intermediate layer 164 of the OLEO 160 may include a low molecularweight material or a high molecular weight material. When theintermediate layer 164 includes a low-molecular weight material, theintermediate layer 164 may have a structure in which a hole injectionlayer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an emission layer (EML), anelectron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL)are stacked in a single or complex structure, and may include variousorganic materials including copper phthalocyanine (CuPc),N,N′-Di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N′-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB), andtris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq3). These layers may be formed viavacuum deposition.

When the intermediate layer 164 includes a high-molecular weightmaterial, the intermediate layer 164 may generally include an HTL and anEML. In this case, the HTL may include poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT), and the EML may include a high-molecular weight material suchas a polyphenylenevinylene (PPV)-based material or a polyfluorene-basedmaterial. The intermediate layer 164 may be formed via screen printing,inkjet printing, laser induced thermal imaging (LITI), or the like.

The intermediate layer 164 is not limited to the structure describedabove, and may have any of various other structures. The intermediatelayer 164 may include a single layer that covers a plurality of pixelelectrodes 162 or may include patterned layers respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of pixel electrodes 162.

The opposite electrode 166 may be disposed on the intermediate layer164. The opposite electrode 166 may be formed as a single body thatconstitutes a plurality of OLEDs 160, and thus may correspond to theplurality of pixel electrodes 162.

Because the OLEDs 160 may be easily damaged by external moisture,oxygen, or the like, the encapsulation layer 170 may cover and protectthe OLEDs 160. The encapsulation layer 170 may be disposed on the entiresurface of the substrate 110 and may extend to the edge of the substrate110. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the encapsulation layer 170 may include afirst inorganic encapsulation layer 172, an organic encapsulation layer174, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer 176.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 172 may cover the oppositeelectrode 166 and may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/orsilicon oxynitride. As necessary, other layers, such as, a cappinglayer, may be interposed between the first inorganic encapsulation layer172 and the opposite electrode 166.

Because the first inorganic encapsulation layer 172 is formed alongstructures below the first inorganic encapsulation layer 172, the uppersurface thereof might not be flat, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The organicencapsulation layer 174 covers the first inorganic encapsulation layer172. In contrast with the first inorganic encapsulation layer 172, theorganic encapsulation layer 174 may have an approximately flat uppersurface. The organic encapsulation layer 174 may include polyethyleneterephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide,polyethylene sulfonate, polyoxymethylene, polyarylate, and/orhexamethyldisiloxane.

The second inorganic encapsulation layer 176 may cover the organicencapsulation layer 174 and may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride,and/or silicon oxynitride. The second inorganic encapsulation layer 176may contact the first inorganic encapsulation layer 172 at the edge ofthe substrate 110 so that the organic encapsulation layer 174 may beprotected from external exposure.

As such, since the encapsulation layer 170 includes the first inorganicencapsulation layer 172, the organic encapsulation layer 174, and thesecond inorganic encapsulation layer 176, even when the encapsulationlayer 170 cracks due to this multi-layered structure, this crack mightnot extend fully between the first inorganic encapsulation layer 172 andthe organic encapsulation layer 174 or between the organic encapsulationlayer 174 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 176. Accordingly,formation of a path via which external moisture, oxygen, or the like ispermitted to permeate into a display may be prevented or minimized.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the touch sensor layer 200 may be disposed onthe display panel 100 having the above-described structure. Although thetouch sensor layer 200 is disposed directly on the display panel 100, asshown in FIG. 2, functional layers, such as a capping layer and anadhesive layer, may be interposed between the display panel 100 and thetouch sensor layer 200. The touch sensor layer 200 may be manufacturedon a transparent substrate in the form of a separate panel and may belaminated with the display panel 100. Alternatively, the touch sensorlayer 200 may be directly formed on the display panel 100.

Meanwhile, the touch sensor layer 200 may include a pattern.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the touch sensor layer 200of the display apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the touch sensor layer 200 may include a pluralityof sensing patterns 201 and connecting patterns 202 connecting theplurality of sensing patterns 201 to one another. A location detectionline may be included in an outer region of the touch sensor layer 200and may connect the plurality of sensing patterns 201 to an externaldriving circuit via a pad unit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,when the touch sensor layer 200 is included as a separate panel, thesensing patterns 201 and the connecting patterns 202 may be formed on aseparate transparent substrate. According to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive concept, when the touch sensor layer 200 is notincluded as a separate panel but is formed directly on the display panel100, the sensing patterns 201 and the connecting patterns 202 may beformed on the encapsulation layer 170.

The plurality of sensing patterns 201 may include first sensing cells201 a connected to one another in a first direction (X-axis direction),and second sensing cells 201 b interposed between the first sensingcells 201 a not overlapping the first sensing cells 201 a and connectedto one another in a second direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular tothe first direction (X-axis direction). The first sensing cells 201 aand the second sensing cells 201 b are alternately spaced apart fromeach other such that they do not overlap with each other in a touchactivating region.

The first direction (X-axis direction) in which the first sensing cells201 a are connected to each other intersects with the second direction(Y-axis direction) in which the second sensing cells 201 b are connectedto each other. Thus, if the first direction (X-axis direction) is set tobe a row direction, the second direction (Y-axis direction) is set to bea column direction.

For example, the first sensing cells 201 a are arranged in column linesand/or row lines, and those first sensing cells 201 a that are in anidentical column or row line (in an identical row line according to theexemplary embodiment shown) are connected to each other in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) by first connecting patterns 202 a arrangedin the aforementioned identical column or row line. In this case, eachline of first sensing cells 201 a connected to each other in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) is connected to each location detectionline.

The second sensing cells 201 b are arranged in column lines and/or rowlines, and those second sensing cells 201 b that are in an identical rowor column line (in an identical column line according to the exemplaryembodiment shown) are connected to each other in the second direction(Y-axis direction), intersecting with the first direction (X-axisdirection), by second connecting patterns 202 b arranged in theaforementioned identical row or column line. In this case, each line ofsecond sensing cells 201 b connected to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) is connected to each location detectionline.

The sensing cells 201 are transparent so that they have at least apredetermined transmittance for transmitting light from the displaypanel 100 to below the sensing cells 201. For example, the first andsecond sensing cells 201 a and 201 b may include transparent electrodelayers formed of at least a transparent electrode material, such as ITO.

The connecting patterns 202 include a plurality of first connectingpatterns 202 a formed in the first direction (X-axis direction)connecting the first sensing cells 201 a to each other in the firstdirection (X-axis direction), and a plurality of second connectingpatterns 202 b formed in the second direction (Y-axis direction)connecting the second sensing cells 201 b to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction).

The connecting patterns 202 are formed of the transparent electrodematerial used to form the sensing cells 201 or formed of an opaquelow-resistance electrode material, but thicknesses or widths of theconnecting patterns 202 may be adjusted to prevent them from being seen.

The location detection lines are respectively electrically connected tolines of first sensing cells 201 a connected to each other in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and lines of second sensing cells 201 bconnected to each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction), andconnect the first and second sensing patterns 201 a and 201 b to anexternal driving circuit via a pad unit.

The location detection lines are disposed in a touch-deactivation regiondefined around the touch-activating region, on which an image isdisplayed, in order to avoid it from being located in thetouch-activating region. Thus, a wide range of materials may be used toform the location detection lines, and accordingly the locationdetection lines may be formed of not only a transparent electrodematerial used to form the first and second sensing cells 201 a and 201 bbut also a low-resistance material, such as, molybdenum (Mo), silver(Ag), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or Mo/Al/Mo.

Although the first and second connecting patterns 202 a and 202 bintersect with each other in FIG. 4, exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, thefirst connecting patterns 202 a may detour to a path on which the firstconnecting patterns 202 a overlap the second sensing cells 201 badjacent thereto, and may still connect the first sensing cells 201 a toeach other in the first direction without intersecting with the secondconnecting patterns 202 b. In this case, an insulation layer may beinterposed between the first connecting patterns 202 a and the secondsensing cells 201 b to provide stability therebetween.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the display apparatus 1 may include the windowlayer 400 over the touch sensor layer 200. The window layer 400 mayinclude the first surface 400 a and the second surface 400 b opposite tothe first surface 400 a. The first surface 400 a of the window layer 400may be defined as an upper surface that faces the outside of the displayapparatus 1, and the second surface 400 b opposite to the first surface400 a may be defined as a lower surface that faces the display panel100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may have a curved shape.The window layer 400 may have a cross-section that is convex in a +zdirection, as shown in FIG. 2. The window layer 400 having a convexshape may be understood as the first surface 400 a of the window layer400 having a dome shape or a shape of a convex lens. However, even inthis case, the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may have ashape of a portion of a sphere, for example, a complete dome shape or ashape of a convex lens. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the first surface 400 a may have a so-called2.5D shape, for example, a shape in which a portion of a window, such asan edge, is curved. As shown in FIG. 2, the second surface 400 b of thewindow layer 400 may be flat, but the shape of the second surface 400 bmay vary.

The insulation layer 300 having a high refractive index may beinterposed between the touch sensor layer 200 and the window layer 400.The insulation layer 300 may be disposed directly below the window layer400. For example, the insulation layer 300 may contact the secondsurface 400 b of the window layer 400.

The insulation layer 300 may include an adhesive material. Theinsulation layer 300 may include an adhesive organic material, forexample, an optically clear adhesive (OCA), optically clear resin (OCR),or an optical clear film (OCF). The insulation layer 300 may include,for example, Ti, Ta, Yb, and/or oxides thereof, and may include TiO₂,Ta₂O₅, and/or Yb₂O₃. For example, the insulation layer 300 may be formedof TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, or Yb₂O₃, or may be formed by using an adhesive organicmaterial as a base material and mixing the adhesive organic materialwith TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, or Yb₂O₃in a powder form. Accordingly, the insulationlayer 300 may have a high refractive index.

The window layer 400 may have a first refractive index, and theinsulation layer 300 may have a second refractive index. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the secondrefractive index of the insulation layer 300 may be greater than thefirst refractive index of the window layer 400. In this case, the secondrefractive index of the insulation layer 300 may be n=1.7 or greater.For example, when the first refractive index of the window layer 400generally has a value of n=1.5 to n=1.6, the second refractive index ofthe insulation layer 300 may have a value of n=1.7 or greater.

Conventional window layers have a flat upper surface and a flat lowersurface. When such flat windows are used, the pattern of the touchsensor layer is not visually recognized by external illumination, suchas sunlight or fluorescent light. However, when the window layer has adome shape of which an upper surface is convex, the window layer servesas a convex lens according to the structural characteristics of a dome,and accordingly the intensity of radiation concentrates and thus thepattern of the touch sensor layer is visually recognized. Thus, thevisibility of the display apparatus 1 degrades.

To address this problem, the display apparatus 1, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, includes theinsulation layer 300 having a high refractive index disposed between thewindow layer 400 and the touch sensor layer 200. Because the insulationlayer 300 has a higher refractive index than the window layer 400 andaccordingly changes a traveling direction of light, the insulation layer300 may prevent the intensity of radiation from concentrate via thedomes-shaped window, and may increase the visibility of the displayapparatus 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The display apparatus 2 of FIG. 5 may be different from the displayapparatus 1 described above in that a first adhesive layer 310 isdisposed between the display panel 100 and the touch sensor layer 200.The other components may be substantially the same as those of thedisplay apparatus 1 described above.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display apparatus 2 may include the firstadhesive layer 310 disposed between the display panel 100 and the touchsensor layer 200. The first insulation layer 310 may be formed of, forexample, an OCA, OCR, or an OCF.

The first adhesive layer 310 may have a smaller refractive index thanthe second refractive index of the insulation layer 300. As describedabove, the second refractive index of the insulation layer 300 may havea value of n=1.7 or greater, and the refractive index of the firstadhesive layer 310 may have a value of, for example, n=1.5 to n=1.6. Therefractive index of the first adhesive layer 310 may be similar to thefirst refractive index of the window layer 400.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus 3 according to an exemplar embodiment of the present inventiveconcept.

Other components may be the same as those of the display apparatus 1.

The first adhesive layer 310 and a second adhesive layer 320 may beformed of, for example, an OCA, OCR, or an OCF. The first and secondadhesive layers 310 and 320 may have smaller refractive indices than thesecond refractive index of the insulation layer 300. As described above,the second refractive index of the insulation layer 300 may have a valueof n=1.7 or greater, and the refractive indices of the first and secondadhesive layers 310 and 320 may have values of, for example, n=1.5 ton=1.6. The refractive indices of the first and second adhesive layers310 and 320 may be similar to the first refractive index of the windowlayer 400.

The display apparatus 3 may include a polarization layer 500 disposedbetween the first and second adhesive layers 310 and 320. Thepolarization layer 500 may prevent or otherwise reduce reflection ofexternal/ambient light. The polarization layer 500 may be implemented asa polarization film to be bonded with the display panel 100 by the firstadhesive layer 310 and to be bonded with the touch sensor layer 200 bythe second adhesive layer 320. For example, the polarization film has ashape in which protection layers implemented as tri-acetate cellulose(TAC) films are respectively bonded with both surfaces of a polarizationelement implemented as a Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) film colored with adichroic material, wherein the protection layers act as a protector ofthe polarization element. This shape is referred to herein as athree-layered structure of TAC-PVA-TAC. A surface of the TAC filmfunctioning as a protection layer may be coated via a surface coatingprocess having characteristics, such as scattering, hardnessenhancement, non-reflection, and low reflection.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concept.

The display apparatus 4 of FIG. 7 is different from the displayapparatuses 1, 2, and 3 in terms of the cross-sectional shapes of thewindow layer 400 and the insulation layer 300 that contacts the windowlayer 400. The other components may be the same as those of the displayapparatus 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display apparatus 4 includes a display panel100, a touch sensor layer 200 disposed on the display panel 100, awindow layer 400 disposed on the touch sensor layer 200, and aninsulation layer 300 disposed between the sensor layer 200 and thewindow layer 400.

The display apparatus 4 may include a window layer 400 having a firstsurface 400 a and a second surface 400 b opposite to the first surface400 a. Both the first and second surfaces 400 a and 400 b of the windowlayer 400 may be curved.

First, the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may have across-section that is convex in the +z direction, as described above.For example, the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may beunderstood as having a dome shape or a convex lens shape that isoutwardly convex. However, even in this case, the first surface 400 a ofthe window layer 400 may have a shape of a portion of a sphere, forexample, a complete dome shape or a shape of a convex lens. According toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first surface 400a may have a so-called 2.5D shape, for example, a shape in which aportion of a window, such as an edge, is curved.

The second surface 400 b of the window layer 400 may have a shape thatis convex in the +z direction toward the first surface 400 a. Forexample, similar to the first surface 400 a, the second surface 400 bmay be understood as having a dome shape or a shape of a convex lensthat is convex outwards. In this case, a radius of curvature of thesecond surface 400 b of the window layer 400 may be less than or equalto that of the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400.

An upper surface of the insulation layer 300 disposed below the windowlayer 400 to be in contact with the window layer 400 may have a shapethat is convex in the +z direction, which is towards the window layer400, along the shape of the second surface 400 b of the window layer400.

The display apparatus 4 may include an adhesive layer disposed betweenthe display panel 100 and the touch sensor layer 200, as describedabove. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept, an adhesive layer may be disposed between the touch sensorlayer 200 and the window layer 400. According to an exemplary embodimentof the present inventive concept, a polarization plate may be disposedbetween the display panel 100 and the touch sensor layer 200, and anadhesive layer may be disposed between the display panel 100 and thetouch sensor layer 200 to bond the polarization plate to the displaypanel 100 and/or the touch sensor layer 200.

Since the display apparatus 4 may include the window layer 400 havingthe first surface 400 a and the second surface 400 b that are bothcurved, the window layer 400 may function as a lens. Accordingly, aviewing angle that is recognized by a user is expanded, and thus thescreen may look magnified to the user.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 5according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The display apparatus 5 of FIG. 8 is different from the displayapparatuses 1, 2, 3, and 4 in terms of the cross-sectional shapes of thewindow layer 400 and the insulation layer 300 that contacts the windowlayer 400. The other components may be the same as those of the displayapparatus 1 described above.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus 5 includes a display panel100, a touch sensor layer 200 disposed on the display panel 100, awindow layer 400 disposed on the touch sensor layer 200, and aninsulation layer 300 disposed between the sensor layer 200 and thewindow layer 400.

The display apparatus 5 may include a window layer 400 having a firstsurface 400 a and a second surface 400 b opposite to the first surface400 a. Both the first and second surfaces 400 a and 400 b of the windowlayer 400 may be curved.

First, the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may have across-section that is convex in the +z direction, as described above.For example, the first surface 400 a of the window layer 400 may beunderstood as having a dome shape or a convex lens shape that isoutwardly convex. However, even in this case, the first surface 400 a ofthe window layer 400 may have a shape of a portion of a sphere, that is,a complete dome shape or a shape of a convex lens. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first surface400 a may have a so-called 2.5D shape, for example, a shape in which aportion of a window, such as an edge, is curved.

The second surface 400 b of the window layer 400 may have a shape thatis convex in a −z direction opposite to the +z direction toward thefirst surface 400 a. For example, the second surface 400 b of the windowlayer 400 may be understood as having a dome shape or a shape of aconvex lens that is convex in the direction toward the display panel100. In this case, a radius of curvature of the second surface 400 b ofthe window layer 400 may be less than or equal to that of the firstsurface 400 a of the window layer 400.

An upper surface of the insulation layer 300 disposed below the windowlayer 400 to be in contact with the window layer 400 may have a shapethat is concave in the +z direction, which is toward the window layer400, along the shape of the second surface 400 b of the window layer400.

The display apparatus 5 may include an adhesive layer disposed betweenthe display panel 100 and the touch sensor layer 200, as in theaforementioned embodiments. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, an adhesive layer may be disposed between thetouch sensor layer 200 and the window layer 400. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a polarizationplate may be disposed between the display panel 100 and the touch sensorlayer 200, and an adhesive layer may be disposed between the displaypanel 100 and the touch sensor layer 200 to bond the polarization plateto the display panel 100 and/or the touch sensor layer 200.

Since the display apparatus 5 includes the window layer 400 having thefirst surface 400 a and the second surface 400 b that are both curved,the window layer 400 may function as a lens. Accordingly, a viewingangle that is recognized by a user is expanded, and thus the screen maylook magnified.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 6according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

The display apparatus 6 of FIG. 9 is different from the displayapparatuses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in terms of the structures of the windowlayer 400 and the insulation layer 300 that contacts the window layer400. The other components may be the same as those of the displayapparatus 1 discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display apparatus 6 includes a display panel100, a touch sensor layer 200 disposed on the display panel 100, a firstwindow layer 410 and a second window layer 420 stacked over the touchsensor layer 200, and an insulation layer 300 disposed between the firstwindow layer 410 and the second window layer 420.

The first window layer 410 and the second window layer 420 included inthe display apparatus 6 constitute a window layer 400. For example, thewindow layer 400 may have a multi-layered structure in which the firstwindow layer 410 and the second window layer 420 are stacked on eachother.

An upper surface 410 a of the first window layer 410 may have anoutwardly-convex shape. For example, the upper surface 410 a of thefirst window layer 410 may be understood as having a dome shape or ashape of a convex lens that is convex in the +z direction which is adirection opposite to the direction toward the display panel 100.However, in this case, the upper surface 410 a of the first window layer410 may have a shape of a portion of a sphere, for example, a completedome shape or a shape of a convex lens. According to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept, the first surface 400 a mayhave a so-called 2.5D shape, for example, a shape in which a portion ofa window, such as an edge, is curved. A lower surface 410 b of the firstwindow layer 410 may be flat.

The second window layer 420 may be disposed between the first windowlayer 410 and the touch sensor layer 200, and, as shown in FIG. 9, mayhave an entirely flat form.

An insulating layer 300 having a high refractive index may be interposedbetween the first window layer 410 and the second window layer 420. Theinsulation layer 300 may be directly interposed between the first windowlayer 410 and the second window layer 420 and may contact one surfacethe first window layer 410 and one surface of the second window layer420. The insulation layer 300 is a film having a high refractive index,and may be disposed between the first window layer 410 and the secondwindow layer 420.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the insulation layer 300 may include an adhesive material. Theinsulation layer 300 may include an adhesive organic material, forexample, an OCA, OCR, or an OCF. The insulation layer 300 may include,for example, Ti, Ta, Yb, and/or oxides thereof, and may include TiO₂,Ta₂O₅, and/or Yb₂O₃. For example, the insulation layer 300 may be formedof TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, or Yb₂O₃, or may be formed by using an adhesive organicmaterial as a base material and mixing the adhesive organic materialwith TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, or Yb₂O₃in a powder form. Accordingly, the insulationlayer 300 may have a high refractive index.

The first window layer 410 may have a first refractive index, and theinsulation layer 300 may have a second refractive index. A refractiveindex of the second window layer 420 may be similar to the firstrefractive index of the first window layer 410. The second refractiveindex of the insulation layer 300 may be greater than the firstrefractive index of the first window layer 410. In this case, the secondrefractive index of the insulation layer 300 may be n=1.7 or greater.For example, when the first refractive index of the first window layer410 has a value of n=1.5 to n=1.6, the second refractive index of theinsulation layer 300 may have a value of n=1.7 or greater.

Conventional window layers may have a flat upper surface and a flatlower surface. When such flat windows are used, the pattern of the touchsensor layer might not be visible in external illumination, such assunlight or fluorescent light. However, when the window layer has a domeshape of which an upper surface is convex, the window layer serves as aconvex lens according to the structural characteristics of a dome, andaccordingly the intensity of radiation concentrates and thus the patternof the touch sensor layer may be seen. Thus, the visibility of thedisplay apparatus degrades.

The display apparatus 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept may include the insulating layer 300 having ahigh refractive index between the window layer 400 and the touch sensorlayer 200. Because the insulating layer 300 has a higher refractiveindex than the window layer 400 and accordingly changes a travelingdirection of light, the insulating layer 300 may prevent the intensityof radiation from concentrating via the domes-shaped window, and mayincrease the visibility of the display apparatus 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a displayapparatus 7 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concept. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional viewmagnifying and illustrating portions of a display panel and a touchsensor layer of the display apparatus 7 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is aschematic plan view of a portion of the touch sensor layer of thedisplay apparatus 7 of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display apparatus 7 includes a display panel100′, a touch sensor layer 200′ disposed on the display panel 100′, awindow layer 400 disposed on the touch sensor layer 200′, and aninsulation layer 300 disposed between the sensor layer 200′ and thewindow layer 400.

The display panel 100′ and the touch sensor layer 200′ may be integratedwith each other. The display panel 100′ and the touch sensor layer 200′being be integrated with each other may be understood as the touchsensor layer 200 being built into the display panel 100′ by forming thetouch sensor layer 200′ directly on the display panel 100′, instead ofusing an add-on method of forming the display panel 100′ and the touchsensor layer 200′ separately and attaching them to each other.

Referring to FIG. 11, the display panel 100′ may include a plurality oforganic light-emitting devices 160 arranged on a substrate 110, and anencapsulation layer 170 covering the organic light-emitting devices 160.The touch sensor layer 200′ may be disposed directly on theencapsulation layer 170.

The substrate 110 may include various flexible or bendable materials.For example, the substrate 110 may be formed of polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyimide (PI). Theplurality of organic light-emitting devices 160 may be arranged on thesubstrate 110. Although the plurality of organic light-emitting devices160 are disposed directly on the substrate 110 in FIG. 11, various typesof layers including a device, such as, a TFT, may be interposed betweenthe plurality of organic light-emitting devices 160 and the substrate110. The encapsulation layer 170 may be disposed on the plurality oforganic light-emitting devices 160 such that it covers the plurality oforganic light-emitting devices 160. The display panel 100′ may have thesame detailed structure as the display panel 100 described above.

The touch sensor layer 200′ includes a touch electrode 210 and aninsulation layer 220 and may be disposed directly on the encapsulationlayer 170. Referring to FIG. 11, the touch electrode 210 may be disposedon the encapsulation layer 170, and the insulation layer 220 may coverthe touch electrode 210. Referring back to FIG. 2, the encapsulationlayer 170 has a structure in which the first inorganic encapsulationlayer 172, the organic encapsulation layer 174, and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 176 are sequentially stacked. Thus, the touchelectrode 210 may be understood as being formed on the second inorganicencapsulation layer 176. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, a separate functional layer may be interposedbetween the touch electrode 210 and the second inorganic encapsulationlayer 176.

The touch electrode 210 may have a planar mesh form as shown in FIG. 12.The touch electrode 210 may be formed of an opaque conductive layer, andmay include low-resistance metal, such as Ag, Al, Cu, chromium (Cr), ornickel (Ni), and a conductive nano material, such as Ag nanowires orcarbon nanotubes (CNTs).

The touch electrode 210 may be disposed between the plurality of organiclight-emitting devices 160, and may include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes Rx and a plurality of second sensing electrodes Tx. Theplurality of first sensing electrodes Rx may be transmitter touchelectrodes to which a first touch signal is transmitted, and theplurality of second sensing electrodes Tx may be receiver touchelectrodes to which a second touch signal is transmitted.

Referring back to FIG. 10, the window layer 400 of which the uppersurface 400 a has a curved or dome shape may be disposed over the touchsensor layer 200′. An insulation layer 300 having a high refractiveindex of n=1.7 or greater may be interposed between the touch sensorlayer 200′ and the window layer 400. The window layer 400 and theinsulation layer 300 may be the same as those described above.

Conventional window layers may have a flat upper surface and a flatlower surface. When such flat windows are used, the pattern of the touchsensor layer might not be noticeable in the presence of externalillumination, such as sunlight or fluorescent light. However, when thewindow layer has a dome shape of which an upper surface is convex, thewindow layer serves as a convex lens according to the structuralcharacteristics of a dome, and accordingly the intensity of radiationconcentrates and thus the pattern of the touch sensor layer is visuallyrecognized. Thus, the visibility of the display apparatus degrades.

The display apparatus 7 according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concept includes the insulating layer 300 having ahigh refractive index disposed between the window layer 400 and thetouch sensor layer 200. Because the insulating layer 300 has a higherrefractive index than the window layer 400 and accordingly changes atraveling direction of light, the insulating layer 300 may prevent theintensity of radiation from concentrate via the domes-shaped window, andmay increase the visibility of the display apparatus 7.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,as described above, a display apparatus having increased visibility maybe realized. However, the scope of the present invention is not limitedthereto.

While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus, comprising: a display panel;a touch sensor layer disposed on the display panel; a window layerdisposed on the touch sensor layer, the window layer having a firstrefractive index and comprising a curved first surface and a secondsurface that is closer to the display panel than is the first surface;and an insulation layer disposed between the window layer and the touchsensor layer, the insulation layer having a second refractive index thatis greater than the first refractive index.
 2. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first surface of the window layer is curvedoutwardly in a direction away from the display panel.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the second surface of the window layer isflat such that the window layer has a plano-convex shape.
 4. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the second surface of the window layer iscurved upwardly in a direction away from the display panel such that thewindow layer has a meniscus shape.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the insulation layer is adhesive.
 6. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the second refractive index (n) is at least 1
 7. 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulation layer comprises atleast one selected from Ti, Ta, Yb, an oxide of Ti, an oxide of Ta, oran oxide of Yb.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein theinsulation layer comprises an organic material.
 9. The display apparatusof claim 2, wherein the second surface of the window layer is curveddownwardly in a direction toward the display panel such that the windowlayer has a biconvex shape.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein an upper surface of the insulation layer conforms to a shape ofthe second surface of the window layer.
 11. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the window layer is a first window layer and thedisplay apparatus further comprising a second window layer disposedbetween the insulation layer and the touch sensor layer.
 12. The displayapparatus of claim 11, wherein top and bottom surfaces of the secondwindow layer are substantially flat.
 13. The display apparatus of claim1, further comprising a first adhesive layer disposed between thedisplay panel and the touch sensor layer, the first adhesive layerhaving a refractive index that is less than the second refractive index.14. The display apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a polarizationlayer disposed between the display panel and the touch sensor layer. 15.The display apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a second adhesivelayer disposed between the touch sensor layer and the polarizationlayer, the second adhesive layer having a refractive index that is lessthan the second refractive index.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the window layer has a circular shape in a plan view.
 17. Adisplay apparatus comprising: a display panel; a touch sensor layerdisposed on the display panel; an adhesive layer disposed between thedisplay panel and the touch sensor layer, the adhesive layer having afirst refractive index; a window layer disposed on the touch sensorlayer and having a curved top surface and a bottom surface that isopposite to the top surface; and an insulation layer disposed betweenthe touch sensor layer and the window layer, the insulation layer havinga second refractive index that is greater than the first refractiveindex.
 18. A touchscreen display apparatus, comprising: atouch-sensitive display panel; a window layer having at least onesurface convexly curved, and disposed on the touch-sensitive displaypanel; and an insulation layer disposed between the window layer and thetouch-sensitive display panel, wherein the insulation layer is disposeddirectly on the window layer and has a refractive index that is greaterthan a refractive index of the window layer.